Although Alabama tackle Andre Smith was definitely getting "jiggly" with it when he ran his 40-yard dash shirtless in his pro day workout, the 49ers nevertheless came away with a positive opinion about this potential draft pick on April 25.

The word from San Francisco's scouting department on the 325-pound Smith? "Impressed."

That's not easy to do for someone who showed up at the NFL combine last month out of shape and announced he would not be working out, and then left Indianapolis the next day without informing anyone.

Smith is one of several 49ers points of discussion as the team gets ready to begin its offseason workout program Monday.

On the veteran side of things, the 49ers do not have any interest in former All-Pro left tackle Orlando Pace, recently released by the Rams. The 12-year veteran has been injured much of the last two seasons.

The 49ers might be interested in another Ram, however, in wide receiver Torry Holt, provided he is released as expected next week. It would have to be at the right price for the 49ers to make a move on Holt.

While there are Internet rumors out there that the 49ers would be interested in talking trade with Denver for quarterback Jay Cutler, that's all they are - rumors. The 49ers are not interested in Cutler.

Getting back to Smith: For his pro day in Tuscaloosa on Wednesday, he unwisely chose to run his 40 shirtless, causing a sort of "torso tsunami" with his shapeless build. He's the opposite of the "ripped" athletic specimen.

All that means little in helmet and pads, however, and Smith is still regarded as a first-round talent, although surely the third tackle now behind Baylor's Justin Smith and Virginia's Eugene Monroe. Smith is known to have a nasty disposition on the field, which might endear him to coach Mike Singletary nearly as much as his apparent devout Christian faith.

The 49ers, drafting 10th on April 25th, might see his name still available on the draft board. They need a right tackle as the team looks to upgrade a position manned by Jonas Jennings, Adam Snyder and Barry Sims the last two seasons. Smith was named the Outland Trophy winner for 2008, emblematic of college football's best lineman.

Monday marks the start of San Francisco's offseason workout program and thus the beginning of Singletary's first full season as head coach. Meetings and individual workouts take up much of the week before the team gathers for a minicamp next Friday and Saturday, with one practice each day.

The NFL allows teams with new head coaches to schedule an additional "voluntary" minicamp in addition to a mandatory camp following the draft.

Thus, Shaun Hill and Alex Smith begin their battle for the starting quarterback job in those two practices a week from today and Saturday. Thirteen-year veteran Damon Huard is the third wheel.

In preparation for the draft, the 49ers will have their scouts "all over the country" attending various pro days on college campuses. That included Thursday in Morgantown, W. Va., for the workout of West Virginia quarterback Pat White.